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Well, I DID IT. I worked out kind of a f*cking lot. Four days a week for four weeks. Goal completed; Great job, Lauren. Now, this post could probably end here, for as I once read, and can’t say I disagree with, unless you fell off the treadmill, no one wants to hear about your workout.

So I’ll keep it brief, but for one hot second, let’s throw modesty aside, and allow to me to feel proud of my accomplishments… I worked out in subzero weather. I worked out through hangovers. I worked out at 8pm when the Bulls were playing. Let us not gloss over this!

I went to the gym more often than I did not, and I did it for five weeks instead of four. I did some pretty GD intense training that burns up to 1200 calories in one hour (sorry. calories?), and if we’re being honest, I enjoyed it. Feeling good feels good, man. So if you don’t work out, but have always wanted to, seriously– start. If I can do it, anyone can.

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So are you wondering what’s up for February? That’s ok, I’ll tell you anyways. Just f*cking do it already month. One project per week I’ve been wanting to tackle forever, yet have sat on for no good reason. Also keeping in the spirit, I plan to tackle projects small and smaller. The email I’d rather answer in ten hours as opposed to now, for purposes unknown? Just f*cking do it already. Go through our hoard and toss/donate all of this hullabaloo? Just f*cking do it already. Finish this blog post that’s over a week late, and was supposed to be brief? Just f*cking do it already.

So check back in a month to see I can conquer my best friend and greatest enemy, procrastination. Or a month and a week. Or two…

New Years Resolutions. How’s that for a topic one week too late? As I’ve mentioned in the past, I like them. A time where everyone (socially forced or not) reflects on ways to improve themselves, and makes a conscious effort (for an extended period or not) to do so– Yes, I can get behind that. That being said, New Years Resolutions are hard. I feel you. How does one keep something fresh and inspired for 365 days, even with the promise of a better you? How does one actually keep a new YEAR’s resolution?

Well, I think my sister Kim just may have figured it out back in 2012, so like any good little sister, I’m ripping her off. This year, rather than making one year-long resolution, I’ll be making twelve month-long resolutions. Anyone can do anything for a month, right? Right… (Italics to indicate uncertainty.)

So let’s start it off! January will be “Work out kind of a f*cking lot” month. Kind of obvious, yes, but you can’t blame me for striking while the get-in-shape-iron is hot. Also, to be fair, I’ve been working out since October, but anyways! Four days a week for four weeks. Which may sound weenie to some, but for someone who was #1 couch potato in September, it’s kind of a f*cking lot.

Check back later to see how my January resolution went, and what’s lined up for February. F*ck it, 2015. Let’s do this.

If you’ve ever met the Nelson girls, you know we’re all a little bit… Hmm, what’s the word I’m looking for? Let’s go with weird. Obviously, I say this with love, but yeah, we’re weird. So while your average bachelorette party might be a weekend in Vegas, a dance party at the gay bar, or spa day with the ladies, my sister Kim opted for an Alpaca Farm getaway in northwest Illinois. Add a few dozen bottles of wine with a side of fine cheeses (ahem, Doritos and Cheetos), and you’ve got yourself a Nelson girl bachelorette party. Did I mention we’re weird? For the record, I think that’s a good thing.

Oh hai, guys! So I recently heard of the 100 Happy Days Challenge, and naturally I had to participate. First, it’s a challenge to be happy for at least one moment a day? For 100 days? In a row? Yikes. I must put a stop to this rumor. And second, y’all know I love a reason to Instagram.

So here’s the haps: Once a day, for 100 days, you take a photo of something that makes you happy. Then, uh… that’s kind of it. You can read more about it here, and you should, since I encourage you to do it as well. I start tomorrow, and go through July 5, 2014.

Also, sorry if you were enjoying my cooling it on the Instagrams. I’M BACK.
AND HAPPY.

When it’s the middle of January, and you’re living in Chicago with temperatures so record breakingly cold they have their own hashtag, they say there’s really only one cure for the inevitable depression: Looking through old photos from beautiful days of yesteryear. Beautiful, perfect, Indian Summer days, with bare arms and lush foliage.

Jokes. They don’t say that at all. But you know what they do say? To stay inside where you can still feel your limbs, and go through old, unedited photos from your friend’s lovely barn wedding in Black Earth, WI.

Jokes. They don’t say that either. That’s pretty specific. But that’s what I’m doing. Here are a couple sneak peeks from the day, but check out the rest here. Congrats Sam & Chris!